Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-28
Fashions for the Dead.

HOW THE CUSTOMS OF DRESSING FOR THE GRAVE
HAVE BEEN CHANGED.
From the Chicago Inter Ocean
There have been within the last few years many
marked changes in the conduct and in the acces-
sorie5 OF funerals. These changes have been
brought about by influences not clearly defnable.
one old lady who died not long ago lay In her mar
row casket robed in pilgrim suit of brown broad
cloth, the cape covering her shoulders and
shrunken form and girdle holding the gathers
about Inc waist A small, close, little felt bonnet
was worn and the infusion OF some chemical gave
the face most life-like appearance. A favOrite
funeral gown Is the modified Greek dress such as
Mary Anderson, Miss Eastlake and Ellen Terry
have been seen In. These outfits are made with
out trimming, possibly gir1le or braided cape
being used as finish. The fabric used is some
fine flannel or worsted cloth OF yellowish white
olOr
Not two years ago the wife of a rich young west
slder was dressed in a fac simile costume OF that
had been very brief, and when 'the final sum-
mons came the body retained its lovely round
contour. In the collin the arms and neck were
bare, the yellow hair was arranged In loose ring
lets about the face, and necklace OF pearl beads
eDcirced the throat.
runors one gives ear to can be credited some very
prominent people will "wrap the drapery OF their
couch about them" when they go hence. The quo
taton Is hardly pertinent for In place Of the cold
white winding sheet OF the "sailOr boy" plaid OF
white billiard cloth, made after the style OF Sir
John Aoore's sable robe, is considered the thing.
So far the winding sheet has been used In Chicago
at the bier OF young men, and then the funeral ser
vices have been conducted with great privacy.
Another innovation at funerals is the evening or
vesper burial Services are held at the residence
late in the afternoon, the friends retire tmmedi-
aJeiy afterward and at nightfa the coffin Is placed
In the undertaker'S carriage and driven TO the
vault, followed by single coupe. This program
Is becoming very general in west side circles and
is preferred to any other arrangement when the
remains are taken out OF the city for burial.
Wealthy Young Men.
From the Chicago Herald
During the past week the sons of two wealthy
men have figured before the public in an unenvi-
able light. Both are from the west, young Kilt
son from Minnesota and young English from
Indiana Both became involved with women who
may be classed as adventureSSeS. In the case of
Kittson it appears that while on spree in New
York he was married to a woman who has since
undertaken to enforce her rights as his wife. In
the case OF English 1t seems that young woman
with whom he mad been intimate, and who de-
ciareS that he promised to marry her, has. at last
made up her mind to leave her cause in the hands
OF the courts. Kittson has been forced TO contest
his alleged wife'S claims In the New York courts
but has the satisfaction OF knowing that so far
as the legal battle goes, he has won the victory.
English mas his lawsuit to face providing that no
settielnent can be arranged before the time fixed
for trial.
Probably 1t was to such rich mems sons as
these That Robert g. IngerSOll referred the other
day when he asserted that when he con-
tempated the sons OF the average rich man he
lost all ambition for wealth 1t goes without say
ing that II Kittson and English had not been In
possession OF unlimited resources IL they had been
compelled by forces OF circumstances to toll for
living and If poverty had made them strong and
self-reliant and less disposed 10 look upon money
as potential in supplying all defects, they proba-
Dy would have escaped the diSgraceful entangle-
ments which have now thrown a shadow over
their lives.
There Is weakness as well as strength In money
The possession of money exposes one to many
risks which do not beset the man who is without
IL. 1t brings temptations unprtncipled associates
OF both sexes ever ready TO trap the unwary, and
oy over-confldence In its power saps the true
This Is never SO true as In the OF young men
coming without preparation into great possessions.
and entirely devoid OF conservatism which the saw
ing and accumulation of a fortune are apt to i'm
press upon its original founder.